Protests were held in West Bank cities including Ramallah, Hebron and Nablus, as well as in the Gaza Strip.AFP Ramallah | Posted : Dec 8 2017 1:39AM | Updated: Dec 7 2017 11:33PM

US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital sparked Palestinian protests and clashes on Thursday.

The Israeli military deployed hundreds more troops to the occupied West Bank amid uncertainty over the fallout, while clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces erupted in various areas.

In a speech in Gaza City, Hamas leader Ismail Haniya called for a new intifada, or uprising.

Protests were held in West Bank cities including Ramallah, Hebron and Nablus, as well as in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli forces dispersed several hundred protesters with tear gas at a checkpoint at the entrance to Ramallah, while the Palestinian Red Crescent reported dozens wounded from tear gas, rubber bullets and live fire in the West Bank.

Three Palestinians were wounded east of the city of Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip, medical sources and witnesses said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said it would put the region in a "ring of fire."

“Hey Trump! What do you want to do?” he asked. “What kind of approach is this? Political leaders do not stir things up, they seek to make peace.”

Palestinian leaders were outraged, with president Mahmud Abbas saying Trump had disqualified the United States from its traditional role as peace broker in the Middle East conflict.

Palestinian shops in east Jerusalem, including the Old City, as well as in the West Bank were largely shuttered and schools closed on Thursday after a general strike was called. (AFP)